Ocotillo, mostly in Mexico, is a spiny shrub to 20 ft. with many long, whip-like, unbranched green stems growing from the base. Stems are leafless most of the year, covering themselves with bright green leaves after a rain. Here is one in the Fullerton Botanical Garden.
Every part of the Nasturtium plant is edible, including the leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds, all with a naturally peppery flavor that comes from mustard
Nasturtium Plant
Nasturtiums Duo
An entire bamboo grove stands 20 feet tall within the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum at Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Here are just the stems, but when it blooms, it wows visitors.
A Thicket of Bamboos
The back of a sunflower is interesting. The stem is the long, narrow part and is referred to as a peduncle for composite (although it looks like a single flower, a composite flower is made up of many smaller flowers, sometimes called florets) flowers. The green, hairy structures that resemble leaves are called phyllaries.
Back of a Sunflower
Sunflowers Facing the Sun